testimony

tes·ti·mo·ny   (těs'tə-mō'nē)    n.   pl. tes·ti·mo·nies A declaration by a witness under oath, as that given before a court or deliberative body. All such declarations, spoken or written, offered in a legal case or deliberative hearing. The stone tablets inscribed with the Law of Moses. The ark containing these tablets. Evidence in support of a fact or assertion; proof. A public declaration regarding a religious experience. The stone tablets inscribed with the Law of Moses. The ark containing these tablets. [Middle English, from Old French testimonie, from Latin testimōnium, from testis, witness; see testify.]

Main Entry: tes·ti·mo·ny
Pronunciation: 'tes-t&-"mO-nE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -nies
Etymology: Latin testimonium, from testis witness
: evidence furnished by a witness under oath or affirmation and either orally or in an affidavit or deposition

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former testimony
: testimony that a witness gives at a different proceeding (as another hearing or a deposition)
NOTE: Under Federal Rule of Evidence 804, former testimony is admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule when the declarant is unavailable and if a predecessor in interest in a civil proceeding or the party against whom the testimony is offered had an opportunity and similar motive to develop the testimony.

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negative testimony
: testimony concerning what did not happen; especially : testimony concerning what one did not perceive <negative testimony that the witness did not hear a train whistle>
NOTE: Negative testimony is sometimes accorded the same weight as positive testimony when the witness was in a position to perceive something and was eagerly attentive.

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opinion testimony
: testimony relaying opinion as opposed to direct knowledge of the facts at issue
NOTE: Opinion testimony may be allowed in evidence when it helps the factfinder understand or determine the facts at issue. Such testimony by a lay witness must be rationally based on his or her perception. A qualified expert witness may also give opinion testimony. The expert's opinion may be based on facts or data that he or she perceives directly or of which he or she is made aware other than by direct perception at or before trial.

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positive testimony
: testimony that presents an affirmative declaration of fact and is based on the personal knowledge of the testifier

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reputation testimony
: testimony concerning a person's reputation among associates or in the community —tes·ti·mo·ni·al /"tes-t&-'mO-nE-&l/ adjective —tes·ti·mo·ni·al·ly adverb

Testimony

(1.) Witness or evidence (2 Thess. 1:10). (2.) The Scriptures, as the revelation of God's will (2 Kings 11:12; Ps. 19:7; 119:88; Isa. 8:16, 20). (3.) The altar raised by the Gadites and Reubenites (Josh. 22:10).